Scholarship Stories

"I may technically be a marketing major, but journalism has always been my passion. I work as the Managing Editor for The Daily Campus, and I started writing early in my freshman year as a sports writer. Since then, I have covered nearly every sport UConn has to offer, from golf all the way to football and men's basketball.

Earning the scholarship was a tremendous honor, as many excellent reporters have received the scholarship before me and gone on to do great things. My goal is to follow in their footsteps and become a big-time reporter at a major news outlet. I love telling stories, I love exposing corruption and injustice, and I want to make an impact on the world and change the way people think. My experiences at UConn have helped me grow into someone who is ready to take on the world, and when I leave I am confident that I will achieve my goals."

Mac Cerullo '12
Recipient,
Michael J. Whalen Journalism Award
Posted January 10, 2012

"As a junior in UConn's Journalism program, I was awarded the Litsky Memorial Scholarship. Now, as a senior, I work as the editor-in-chief of UConn's independent, student-run, daily newspaper. The scholarship helped make my education affordable, and it freed up my time from work, allowing me to focus on academics and my commitment to the paper. I maintain my grades and I lead a team of talented students that put out a quality publication five days a week. I'm not sure yet where I'll end up after graduation in May – I may pursue a graduate degree or do a few years with a teaching program – but in either case, I now know what I want to do ultimately: lead another group of talented journalists in daily production. I feel very passionately about the importance of scholarships and other aid for higher education, as it is almost solely what allowed me to pursue my education."

Melanie Deziel '12
Recipient,
Charles Litsky Memorial Scholarship
Posted December 22, 2011

"I am now a senior pursuing a dual degree in Marketing and Graphic Design. Since day one of my college career, people have told me I am crazy to take on the workload of a dual degree on top of a job and a large number of extra curricular activities, but that just motivates me more. My goal isn’t about proving them wrong, but rather about proving to myself that my determination and ambition is all worth it and that ultimately all my hard work will pay off. Going to college is an opportunity that not every student has and I have always believed that it is important to make the most of these years. Without scholarships, I would never be able to accomplish all my dreams. These experiences here at UConn were made possible by people like you who support my ambitions and dreams. You have have provided me with a huge gift and I cannot say thank you enough."

Rebecca Hawley '12
Recipient,
Lawrence J. and Natalie Portell Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Fine Arts
Posted October 21, 2011

"As a junior enrolled in a double degree program in chemical engineering and German studies, it is easy to get caught up in the seemingly endless workload. Perhaps the most important aspect of this award is that you have recognized me for the late nights and early mornings that I’ve dedicated to my studies. That really means a lot to me, so thank you. At the University of Connecticut I have become very interested in renewable energy production, working in the Biofuels laboratory under Professor Richard Parnas. I hope to further that interest in Freiburg by studying photovoltaics and solar energy production. Germany is the world’s leading producer of solar energy with a total power output of 12.1 gigawatts. Plus, studying in the city with the most hours of sunshine in all of Germany can’t be all bad... I would like to once again say thank you for the award."

Kyle Hope '13
Recipient,
Harold P. Farrington Engineering Scholarship Fund
Vergnano/Reddington Family Scholarship
Posted October 11, 2011

"My junior year at UConn was a great one. My first semester I studied abroad in London, which was an unforgettable experience. For school I took 4 classes, including one internship class where I worked at a youth center teaching sports to children. On the weekends I traveled all over Europe, including trips to Dublin, Geneva, Munich, Amsterdam, Rome, and Venice. Overall my study abroad experience was one that I will never forget, and I think it really showed me that I have the ability to make it on my own. My second semester I excelled academically and took a trip to Houston to see UConn in the Final Four. As far as extracurricular activities go, I am a brother of the Sigma Chi fraternity and participate in numerous activities through that organization. The financial support has really helped me at UConn, and it has given me the opportunity this semester to go see the world and experience a different culture."

Luke Anderson '12
Recipient,
Samuel J. Orr Scholarship Fund
Posted October 3, 2011

"My experience at the University of Connecticut has been an excellent one. I transferred to UConn going into my sophomore year from another state school. I was looking for a university that offered me the kind of education that was challenging and I could be proud to say that I went there, and UConn has done that for me. As I now approach my last year as an undergraduate, I can look back and be glad that I made the choice to come to such an excellent school. With this scholarship, I was able to worry less about the cost of school and focus more on my academics, as I was rewarded with this scholarship for academic achievement. I now have an internship at Liberty Mutual, and am looking to pursue law school after my commencement. Once again, thank you for your generosity in helping students like myself achieve their dreams of a college degree."

Christina Computzzi '12
Recipient,
DelFavero Agricultural Economics Fund
Posted September 20, 2011

"From the second I have stepped on this campus as a student, and the many times before that as an avid basketball, soccer, baseball, and football fan, I have bled Husky Blue. I have always found new and exciting things to do on this campus every year to keep myself involved and busy.

I currently work for the Women's basketball team as a manager. This upcoming fall will be my third year as a manager after spending two years as a practice player. I also work for the Department of Recreational Services as an Intramural Supervisor. In my spare time I enjoy playing Intramurals and have lead my intramural teams to four championships in the past two years in addition to back-to-back All Campus Men's Championships. This financial support has helped me tremendously as I am staying for a 5th year at UConn to finish up my dual degree in Sport Management and Management Information systems.

My goal is one day own my own company, preferably in the sports industry. While that is hefty goal, I strive to learn new things every day so that I may one day reach my goal. The experiences I have here a UConn will go a long way in me accomplishing my dreams.

Justin Paluch '12
Recipient,
Treibick Family Electronic Commerce Initiative Fund
Posted September 16, 2011